Leadership in Business

 Good day student's please follow the link below as it contains an introduction to the task at hand. Enjoy:

https://youtu.be/GG74UqA4pyA

 

 

You and your fellow students are now management consultants.  You form a small team of professionals representing your business consulting firm to the Board of Directors of the XYZ Corporation.   The XYZ Corporation is a five year old  business in a rapidly growing industry it helped create.  For the past few years, its share of the market has declined while a growing list of competitors enter. 

In a few months, XYZ's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will retire.  The Board of Directors plans to hire a new CEO who will lead the company in transforming its business and culture to regain market share and reshape the industry it helped create.     

Your firm has been invited to bid on the role to recruit the new CEO.  Getting XYZ's business would be a major win for you as it would  significantly boost your firm's revenue and reputation. 

You are competing against other consulting firms for XYZ's business.  To be selected for the job, you must first provide a compelling argument that convinces the board that your firm understands what characteristics an individual should possess to lead the company back to success.  At the request of the board, each consulting firm must present a leadership style demonstrating their vision of an exemplary leader. 

By the time you have finished this lesson, you will have developed a presentation in the form of a proposal that represents your firm's ideals for leadership styles and the characteristics and attributes that leaders should possess.  You will present this proposal to a representative of XYZ's Board of Directors...your teacher!  

 

 

Overview

You will work in a small team of three representing your management consulting firm.  Your team will develop a 3 - 4 slide presentation using Microsoft's PowerPoint in the form of a compelling proposal containing four sections titled:

1. Executive Summary:  One or three statements demonstrating that your firm understands the need for leadership at the XYZ company's request. 

• This section is important given the XYZ company will be looking to see if you were listening to their needs and would take their business seriously should they become your client.  

2. Candidate Leadership Profile:  A profile displaying leadership success characteristics that represents your firm's vision of what a successful candidate should possess.
   • You can start this section with a brief description of what it takes to be a successful leader followed by a "bulleted" list of characteristics and their descriptions.  This section is important as it represents the profile of characteristics your firm would look for when searching for a leadership candidate.  

3. Leadership Role Models:  The attributes and accomplishments of two legendary and exemplary business leaders, either past or present.  This slide serves to "ground" your 'Candidate Leadership Profile' in reality, representing your team's role models for leadership.
   • It's suggested that you create two columns, each representing a leader you are most inspired by.  Provide a description of their major accomplishment, how that affected a business, an industry, and/or society.  Bullet the attributes and characteristics you've identified by mapping these traits to what you defined in your 'Candidate Leadership Profile' (above).     

4. Recruitment Technology:  Examples of Internet based social collaboration tools that job search firms can use to research perspective candidates.
   • This is a simple list of example social networking tools that occupational search firms could use to research and filter job candidates.   You should provide a brief description of these tools.  You will notice that a number of social networking tools may be used by you today.  You'll want to be careful and critical as to what you post on these sites following your research!    

Step 1:  Your First Course of Action - Plan, Organize, Create your Proposal Template!

Each of you have a role.  Your first course of action is to elect which of you will take the following roles.  You should consider creating a plan with each of your roles having responsibility for a set of deliverables that will contribute to the completion of your presentation.  Organize your plan by major phases or "milestones" with dates so you can track your accomplishments towards completion.  Refer to the Overview section (above) for the content of your proposal presentation:    

1. Lead Consultant - this role controls the plan for the project.  Your plan should include tasks for each team member and should be divided into "milestones".  Phases like "Plan, Organize, Create Proposal Template", "Research and Compile Information",  "Produce Proposal Draft" and "Complete Proposal" are possible examples for your milestones. 

• This individual is also responsible for the research and content for the Executive Summary and Candidate Leadership Profile section of your presentation. 

2. Research Consultant 1 -

This role is responsible for the research and content for the Leadership Roles Models section of the presentation. As a result of your research, two exemplary and legendary leaders, past or present, are to be identified,  representing your team's "role models" for leadership in your presentation. 

3. Research Consultant 2 - this role will be responsible for the research and content for the Recruitment Technology section of your presentation.

As for the template, once you agree on the format of your proposal presentation you can quickly build your presentation template using Microsoft PowerPoint.  You can continually add to this template until you are satisfied you have completed your product. 

Here's a link to help you build an effective presentation: How to Give a Good Presentation: 8 Tips to Succeed (betterup.com) 

 

Step 2: Your Second Course of Action - Research!

As a team, please read this article on the Internet - What is leadership? - Definition from WhatIs.com (techtarget.com) 

Discuss, then agree on how the article shapes your thinking about leaders and leadership.  As suggested in the Overview section, above.  In your proposal's Executive Summary, you'll want to consider starting your presentation by re-stating your understanding of the challenge the XYZ Corporation faces and, supporting that challenge, your definition of leadership and its importance to XYZ's future as an industry leader. 

Decide on how you can you leverage what you learned from the article (above) for your proposal?

• Does leadership differ from management? 
• What can you infer from the article that will make your proposal compelling?

Remember, the Board of Directors for the XYZ Corporation is testing you on your definition leadership and the value you place on it.      

Step 3 - Your Third Course of Action - Individually Compile your information!

It's time to take on the responsibilities of your individual roles.  It's time to use the Internet to research, gather up your findings, and fill in your presentation template so you can regroup with your team and collaborate on your next milestone - your draft proposal presentation.

Here's a few good Internet resources, by role, to help you - however, you don't necessarily need to limit yourself to these sources.  The challenge is finding reputable ones:

Lead Consultant:  Examples of Highly Significant Leadership Qualities  

                         

Research Consultant 1:  Notable Business Biographies

       

Research Consultant 2:   Social Networks, The Newest Recruiting Tool

                                       Pros and Cons of Using Social Network Sites 

Don't just collect data - Be creative, build your story in your own words as you go!  Collaborate! How can you leverage what you have learned from your research?

• How do you define leadership and what importance do you place on it?
• Is there a difference between managing and leading?
• What leadership characteristics or skills should your leadership profile possess?
• What two legendary leaders exemplify either some or all those attributes?
• What did these leaders accomplish and what importance did these leadership characteristics play in their success?
• How are social networks being used to research potential leadership candidates?
• What are the pitfalls of using social networks to both potential employees and employers? 

Step 4: Come Together and Create Your Draft Proposal Presentation!

You're near your final stage before you appear before the representative/s of the XYZ Board of Directors (your teacher/s).

Let's review, for understanding, the sections your final product, the 'Leadership for Business Proposal ' presentation, should contain: 

1. Slide 1: Executive Summary:  One or three statements demonstrating that your firm understands both the need for leadership at the XYZ company's and their request.

2. Slide 1: Candidate Leadership Profile:  A profile displaying leadership success characteristics that represents your firm's vision of what a successful candidate should possess.  You can start this section with a brief description of what it takes to be a successful leader followed by a "bulleted" list of characteristics and their descriptions.

3. Slide 2:  Leadership Role Models:  The attributes and accomplishments of two legendary and exemplary business leaders, either past or present.  This slide serves to "ground" your 'Candidate Leadership Profile' in reality, representing your team's role models for leadership.

It's suggested that you create two columns, each representing a leader you are most inspired by.  Provide a description of their major accomplishment, how that affected a business, an industry, and/or society.  Bullet the attributes and characteristics you've identified by mapping these traits to what you defined in your 'Candidate Leadership Profile' (above). 

4. Slide 3:  A description social networking tools used when recruiting potential candidates and the pitfalls and benefits to both employers and potential employees in using these tools.

The final step:  Now, as a team, it's time to pull together your research findings into a cohesive and compelling proposal presentation (on PowerPoint).  Perhaps these steps will help:

1. Consulting Leader - Work with your team to ensure your Candidate Leadership Profile compliments the biography, attributes, and accomplishments of the two role models your team chose.  Explain the characteristics and skills of your ideal leader and why they are important to the XYZ Corporation.
2. Research Consultant 1 - Build a story around the two legendary business leaders who serve as your firm's role model for exemplary leadership.  Explain why these leaders are exemplary - based on their accomplishments and enduring attributes.  Explain how they transformed people, cultures, and industries, where it applies.
3. Research Consultant 2 - Present your firm's understanding of technology and its demonstration of integrity by explaining the benefits and pitfalls of social media and web based tools for identifying leadership talent.    

 Your final product should be a 3-4 page PowerPoint presentation, concise and compelling, proposing your team's vision of an ideal leadership candidate for the XYZ Company.  

You'll have 7 minutes to present as a team.

This is how your work will be evaluated:

                   Score       Grade

                   14-16          A

                   11-13          B

                     8-10          C

                      6-7           D

         less than 6            F

CATEGORY	Exemplary 4	Qualifying 3	Progressing 2	Unacceptable 1
Proposal Content Quality Mastery Demonstrated  via Proposal Presentation Content	Proposal is concise  and visually attractive. Proposal is clearly organized into logical sections for easy readability. Content flows well from section to section and transitions are clearly complimentary.    Each of the four topic areas are covered and demonstrate thorough and thoughtful research synthesis. 'Leadership Profile' supports 'Legendary Leader Role Models' with a compelling conclusion supporting the need for exemplary leadership.	Proposal is sufficient for covering the topics clearly; a small degree of  uneven balance exists in thorough analysis between topics. Proposal is generally well organized into sections, but content flow from section to section could be improved.    Each of the four topic areas are covered and demonstrate adequate research supporting a convincing   conclusion.	Proposal is sufficient for covering the topics, but an uneven balance exists in analysis strength and conclusion between topics. Proposal shows evidence of organization, content flow from section to section needs improvement.    Each of the four topic areas are covered but the reader must look deeper to identify the points being made or for the conclusions.	Proposal is insufficient for covering the topics.  Research analysis shows minimal to no evidence of effort. Proposal shows minimal to no evidence of organization, content flow from section to section is either non-existent or needs significant improvement.    Each of the four topic areas are relatively non-conclusive, barren, or non-existent.
Group Work: Collaboration and Teamwork. Mastery demonstrated via leadership within role and collaborative teamwork	Collectively and at all times, students demonstrate a strong and targeted work ethic and operate as a cohesive team. Workload is balanced with the team willingly supporting each individual as a resource. For each proposal section, leadership is openly demonstrated and collaboration is frequently active.  Each team member role is appointed and unanimously accepted. A plan is developed and actively controlled.	For the majority of time, students collectively demonstrate a strong and targeted work ethic and operate as a cohesive team. Workload is balanced for the most part, and while members are willing to support each other, this culture is not actively promoted. For each proposal section, leadership is demonstrated when needed.  Collaboration occurs, but not per a process or schedule (plan).  Each team member role is assumed and but requires periodic clarity amongst peers. A plan is developed with each member tracking to their own tasks.	A work ethic is targeted, but not consistent.  Team struggles to operate as a cohesive team. Workload is balanced for the most part, but members are either reluctant or complacent in support each other. Leadership exists but is spotty and at times, ignored.  Collaboration is amongst the few. and no schedule (plan) is committed to.  Each team member role is committed to but individual deliverables do not come together until the final moments of the project. A plan is loosely organized  tracking is not routine at any level.	No consistent work ethic is sighted. Workload is unbalanced.  Members are either reluctant or complacent in support each other and operate in a vacuum. Leadership is either misunderstood, ignored amongst team members, or non-existent. If collaboration does exist, the team often strays from the subject and cannot stay on task. Either a plan is inadequaltey defined or non-existent.
Individual Contribution: Level of participation	At all times, student actively participates in team meetings and lab assignments.   Student is effective in their role and meet or exceeds all deliverable dates for that role.   Student actively volunteers resource and ideas for the good of the team and their deliverables.   Student's work demonstrates topic mastery, research synthesis, and high quality, positively influencing the final product.   Student demonstrates mastery of the same leadership traits being studied.	Student participates in team meetings and lab assignments.   Student is effective in their role and meets most deliverable dates for that role - with few exceptions requiring a change to plan and minimal impact to the team..   At times, student  volunteers ideas for the good of the team and the overall deliverable.   Student's work demonstrates topic understanding and quality.   Student demonstrates an understanding of the same leadership traits being studied.	Student participates in the majority of team meetings and lab assignments.    Student takes a relaxed attitude in meeting goals and deadlines  - then becomes more aggressive as project completion date nears, impacting the team and resulting in an increase in workload to team members to make the date.   Students work  demonstrates minimum topic understanding.   Student demonstrates awareness of the same leadership traits being studied, but does not show many of the characteristics.	Student doesn't participate or participation is light. Student misses deadlines that have a significant impact on the team's delivery date. Where student does complete work, the work is off topic or inadequate to demonstrate evidence of research and effort.
Demonstrated Mastery Mastery demonstrated via oral presentation	Presentation is logical, concise, organized and clearly demonstrates mastery of the topic.   Students are practiced, poised, articulate; proper volume and frequent eye contact; exude confidence and enthusiasm.    Presentation captures the class' interest and maintains that interest. Each member is professional -  introduces self, team - transitions are complimentary and clear.	Presentation is logical, concise, organized and demonstrates a high degree of understanding of the topic.   Students are practiced, sufficiently poised and articulate to maintain class interest; enthusiasm is evident.  Presentation flow and transition is generally smooth with a small degree of disconnect between sections. Each member is professional -  introduces self, team - transitions are complimentary and clear.	Student read through the presentation and demonstrated basic  topic comprehension.	Student did not execute in a clear and concise manner when presenting.   Minimal interest and/or comprehension were demonstrated.

 

 

Congratulations .  By now you have completed your proposal and are ready to present.  It's up to the representative of the XYZ Board of Directors to evaluate your proposal. 

But before you go, you should reflect on the enduring value of what you learned.

It takes individuals possessing exemplary leadership characteristics and skills to succeed in leading globally matrix-ed organization.  It takes exemplary leadership qualities to inspire others to follow.

Try this:

Why not take a test to determine your own leadership style.  It may provide you with a good foundation for determining your strengths and focusing on your weaknesses.

Take a Leadership Style Quiz

Now put your knowledge to practice - you've taken a fine step toward becoming exemplary leaders!

 

Resources

All of the resources required for this lesson are contained in the Student section of this Web Quest.

The only materials required are:

• Access to computers with capabilities to research via the Internet and software to produce the final product, namely, Microsoft PowerPoint (for the proposal presentation) and Word (for planning project steps, or if you choose - for each student to develop a final reflection paper on what they learned and what they will do with their newly acquired knowledge).